Life Cycles
The Word Alive · 2012
50 min · 13 tracks · metalcore
A relentless blend of metalcore energy and melodic hooks, punctuated by introspective lyrics and dynamic instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Life Cycles — The title track encapsulates the album's thematic exploration of growth and change while showcasing the band's melodic and heavy elements seamlessly.
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For Your Health — This track features an energetic blend of harsh vocals and catchy choruses that exemplifies the band's ability to merge intensity with accessibility.
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Live a Lie — With its introspective lyrics and powerful instrumentation, this song serves as a critique of authenticity and societal expectations, resonating deeply with listeners.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances aggression and melody well, though it doesn't fully stand out in the metalcore genre.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of breakdowns and melodic choruses, with tracks like 'Life Cycles' alternating between aggressive verses and soaring hooks.
- Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, such as synths and samples, which add texture to the heavy instrumentation.
- The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier intensity.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- introspective lyrics for deep reflection
- relentless energy for workout motivation
- dynamic instrumentation keeps attention engaged
- melodic hooks for sing-along moments
- momentum-building tracks for driving
Maybe skip if you
- prefer softer, mellow sounds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2012, Life Cycles was The Word Alive's second studio album, following their debut, Deceiver (2010). At this point in their career, the band was establishing their sound within the metalcore scene, transitioning from a debut that garnered attention to a more refined approach that showcased their potential for broad appeal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Of Mice & Men· We Came as Romans· The Amity Affliction
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dragon Spell 4:10
- 2 Wishmaster 3:47
- 3 Entirety 4:07
- 4 For Your Health 3:35
- 5 Bar Fight 3:41
- 6 Life Cycles 4:22
- 7 Evolution 4:25
- 8 Hidden Lakes 3:30
- 9 Ambitionary 3:10
- 10 Live a Lie 4:14
- 11 Belong 4:08
- 12 Room 126 3:55
- 13 Astral Plane 3:13
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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